Light Source Control Device for Projector Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light source devices for projectors face challenges in maintaining wavelength conversion efficiency and white balance due to temperature-related issues with phosphor layers and red laser light sources, which affect the radiation efficiency and output stability.

Innovation Solution

A light source control device with a configuration that includes a first light emitting element for blue light, a second light emitting element for red light, a wavelength conversion element, thermoelectric conversion elements, and radiation members, where the controller prioritizes cooling and temperature control to maintain wavelength conversion efficiency and adjust white balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a phosphor layer is fixed on a substrate, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the radiation efficiency of the phosphor layer is low and the temperature of the phosphor layer rises to decrease the wavelength conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidradiation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The phosphor layer is configured to rotate together with the substrate, transforming it from a static structure to a dynamic one. This rotation enables the phosphor particles to be illuminated from multiple angles, significantly improving radiation efficiency and reducing temperature rise, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through the use of a simple rotating substrate mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a red laser light source is used, then the red light output can be adjusted, but the output of the red light increases or decreases in accordance with ambient temperature, making it difficult to maintain white balance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidwhite balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A temperature sensor is introduced to detect the temperature of the red laser light source, and this temperature information is fed back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the drive signal to the red laser light source based on the detected temperature, compensating for temperature-induced output variations and maintaining stable white balance across different ambient conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wavelength conversion efficiency is maintained by cooling the phosphor layer, then the white balance can be maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewhite balanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged with the existing substrate rotation mechanism. The substrate serves dual purposes: rotating to improve phosphor radiation efficiency and simultaneously acting as a cooling medium to transport heat away from the phosphor layer. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling components, maintaining device simplicity while achieving effective temperature management for stable white balance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively stabilizes the output of both blue and red lights, maintaining wavelength conversion efficiency and ensuring consistent white balance in the illumination light, thereby improving the projector's image projection quality.

Implementation Method 1

a first thermoelectric conversion element thermally coupled to the wavelength conversion element, a second thermoelectric conversion element thermally coupled to the second light emitting element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric conversion: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

a first radiation member thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric conversion element, a second radiation member thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric conversion element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a wavelength conversion element configured to convert the blue light entering the wavelength conversion element into wavelength-converted light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS20240272533A1Light source control device, light source device, projector, and method of controlling light source

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A light source control device configured to output illumination light includes a first light emitting element configured to output blue light, a second light emitting element configured to output red light, a wavelength conversion element configured to convert the blue light entering the wavelength conversion element into wavelength-converted light, a first thermoelectric conversion element thermally coupled to the wavelength conversion element, a first radiation member thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric conversion element, a second thermoelectric conversion element thermally coupled to the second light emitting element, a second radiation member thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric conversion element, and a controller configured to control drive of each of the first thermoelectric conversion element and the second thermoelectric conversion element.